Italian Government Raises Electoral Bonus Threshold to 42%

The ruling coalition in Italy is drafting a base text for a new electoral law that would increase the majority bonus threshold from 40% to 42% of the vote. The proposal also lowers the maximum number of seats a coalition can receive from 230 to between 220‑222 in the Chamber of Deputies, while keeping the bonus at 70 seats (35 in the Senate). It would make the allocation of seats fully proportional when the two houses produce divergent results and would eliminate the run‑off mechanism.

A group of constitutional scholars, numbering over 145 academics, has launched an appeal titled “Return to the Constitution,” condemning the draft as a breach of democratic and constitutional principles. The appeal cites concerns about an oversized bonus, locked lists and multi‑member constituencies, arguing that the reform could distance voters from the ballot box.